Removable roof rail assembly and method of use

Abstract

A removable roof rail assembly for a motor vehicle includes a roof rail and latch assembly for securing the roof rail to the motor vehicle. The latch assembly includes a push button actuator to conveniently and efficiently release the latch assembly and allow one to remove the roof rail from the motor vehicle. A related method for selectively securing a roof rail to and removing a roof rail from the motor vehicle is also provided.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A removable roof rail system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a first roof rail; 
 a second roof rail; and 
 a crossbar extending between said first roof rail and said second roof rail wherein said first roof rail and said second roof rail both include at least one foot engaging a roof of said motor vehicle and a latch assembly securing said first roof rail and said second roof rail to said motor vehicle, said latch assembly including a push button actuator to release the latch assembly and remove the first roof rail and the second roof rail from said motor vehicle. 
 
     
     
       2. The removable roof rail system of  claim 1 , wherein said latch assembly includes a latch mechanism, including said push button actuator, and a locking pin carried on said motor vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The removable roof rail system of  claim 2 , wherein said locking pin is secured to a roof reinforcement of said motor vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The removable roof rail system of  claim 3 , wherein said roof reinforcement is selected from a group of structures consisting of a roof support and a hydroformed roof support tube. 
     
     
       5. The removable roof rail system of  claim 4 , wherein said locking pin extends through an aperture in a roof of said motor vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The removable roof rail system of  claim 5 , wherein said roof includes a well receiving said locking pin and said latch mechanism. 
     
     
       7. The removable roof rail system of  claim 6 , further including a removable cover that is secured to said roof to conceal said latch mechanism. 
     
     
       8. The removable roof rail system of  claim 2 , wherein said latch mechanism includes an outer housing receiving said push button actuator and an inner housing received in said push button actuator. 
     
     
       9. The removable roof rail system of  claim 8 , including a plurality of apertures in said inner housing and a plurality of retaining balls received in said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       10. The removable roof rail system of  claim 9 , including a locking plunger received in said inner housing and a first spring biasing said locking plunger toward an entry opening of a locking pin receiver in said inner housing. 
     
     
       11. The removable roof rail system of  claim 10 , including a second spring extending between said push button actuator and said inner housing, said second spring biasing said push button actuator toward a home position. 
     
     
       12. The removable roof rail system of  claim 11 , further including a push button locking feature securing said push button actuator in said home position and preventing release of said latch assembly. 
     
     
       13. The removable roof rail system of  claim 12 , wherein said push button locking feature includes a key receiver and a key configured for receipt in said key receiver. 
     
     
       14. A removable roof rail system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 a first roof rail; 
 a second roof rail; 
 a crossbar extending between said first roof rail and said second roof rail; and 
 a latch assembly securing said first roof rail to said motor vehicle, said latch assembly including a push button actuator to release said latch assembly and remove said roof rail from said motor vehicle, wherein said latch assembly includes a latch mechanism including said push button actuator, carried on said first roof rail, and a cooperating locking pin carried on said motor vehicle.